Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Get Your Comic On
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Hot Topics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Marvel
      • Power Rangers
      • Star Trek Universe
      • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
      • Titan Comics
      • Transformers
      • Universal Pictures
    • Features

      Six Crime Films to Watch After ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE

      September 29, 2025

      Five Dark Knight Animated Projects to Watch This BATMAN DAY

      September 16, 2025

      Who Could Superman and Lex Team-up to Defeat in 2027’s MAN OF TOMORROW

      September 15, 2025

      The 10 Most Memorable Deaths In The ALIEN Series, Ranked

      August 15, 2025

      Are the FINAL DESTINATION Films All Linked to the Events of 1968?

      May 17, 2025
    • Comics

      Jordan Thomas and Chris Matthews Welcome You to EXORCISM ISLAND in New Preview From Comixology Originals

      October 3, 2025

      The Secret History of Dracula Comes to London in DRACULA: BOOK III – THE COUNT

      October 2, 2025

      Titan Shares New Preview of Dan Watters’ Upcoming DOCTOR WHO: THE PRISON PARADOX #1

      October 2, 2025

      BATGIRL (2024-) #12 Review

      October 1, 2025

      POISON IVY (2022-) #37 Review

      October 1, 2025
    • Film

      A Serial Killer is on the Loose in International Trailer for Docu-Horror STRANGE HARVEST

      October 1, 2025

      Here’s Everything Coming to RAKUTEN TV in October 2025

      October 1, 2025

      Guillermo Del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN is Finally Revealed in Brand New Trailer and Artwork

      October 1, 2025

      Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings Celebrate 50 years of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

      September 30, 2025

      TIM BURTON’S CORPSE BRIDE 4K Collector’s Edition Review

      September 30, 2025
    • TV

      AMC Shares Official Trailer for FEARFEST Featuring 2025’s “Halloqueen” and Host Janelle Monáe

      October 3, 2025

      Paramount+ Renews Mega Hit Series LIONESS for a Third Season

      October 2, 2025

      Earth-X Continues to Cause Trouble for the Gang in Latest PEACEMAKER Episode Stills

      October 1, 2025

      Shudder Releases Spectacular – and Fractious – Trailer for THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA: TITANS Season 2

      September 30, 2025

      Apple TV+ Releases New Clips From THE SISTERS GRIMM Animated Series

      September 30, 2025
    • Culture
      • Anime
      • Collectibles
      • Conventions
      • Gaming
    • Podcast
    • Interviews

      Anson Mount Breaks Down the STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season 3 Finale (EXCLUSIVE)

      September 12, 2025

      Richa Moorjani Breaks Down ALIEN: EARTH Episode 5 (EXCLUSIVE)

      September 3, 2025

      PEACEMAKER Stars Jennifer Holland & Frank Grillo Discuss Working Together on Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025

      Sol Rodriguez & Steve Agee Talk Dance Routines and Sharing Scenes in PEACEMAKER Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025

      Danielle Brooks & Freddie Stroma Talk Shooting Emotional PEACEMAKER Season 2 Scenes (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025
    • Directory
    Get Your Comic On
    Home»Review»TIFF 2021: HELLBOUND Episode 101-103 Review
    Review

    TIFF 2021: HELLBOUND Episode 101-103 Review

    Neil VaggBy Neil VaggSeptember 11, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
    Hellbound (Netflix)
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    From the mind of Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, Hellbound stars Yoo Ah-in, Yang Ik-june, Park Jeong-min and Kim Hyun-joo.

    Synopsis

    In a quiet coffee shop, a middle-aged man sits alone, sweating profusely, feverishly checking the time. When 2pm strikes, three demonic, amorphous figures come smashing through the front window. The man runs out of the shop and down the busy city streets in terror, trying to escape. The ominous figures catch him, pin him to the ground, and perform a ritual that leaves his body in ashes. A crowd surrounds the scene, capturing the disturbing act on cellphones.

    This is the thrilling pre-credits scene of Hellbound, the newest series from visionary South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho, based on his own webtoon The Hell — which was illustrated by Choi Kyu-seok, who co-wrote Hellbound.

    Review

    The idea of a divine higher power is of deep interest to millions around the globe. Does god exist? Is there a heaven? Is there are hell? These are all questions we wrestle with at some point during out lives. With Netflix’s Hellbound, director Yeon Sang-ho (Train To Busan) tackles those questions head on in unexpected and deeply affecting ways.

    The first three episodes of Hellbound have screened for press at the Toronto International Film Festival. Clocking in at around 50 minutes per episode, the series has a deftly crafted landscape which comes directly from Sang-ho and artist Choi Kyu-seok’s webtoon, The Hell.

    The pilot episode opens big with a thrilling pre-credits sequence set in a quiet coffee shop. A middle-aged man sits alone, sweating profusely, feverishly checking the time. When 2pm strikes, three demonic, amorphous figures come smashing through the front window. What proceeds is an epic chase sequence with endless scope. It roots Hellbound in the world of horror but not in overtly graphic or repugnant ways.

    In fact, Hellbound is much more than this. As we meander through these three episodes the series is far more existentialist than it might first appear. The story consistently challenges the cast to reassess their place in the world, often aligning itself as more of a thriller than a horror.

    Sang-ho and Gyu-seok’s story is exquisitely paced in the episodes we saw. After the pre-credits attack the series pumps on the breaks and allows for much more exploration of circumstance. The first episode sets up religious leader Jung Jin-soo (Yoo Ah-in) as a charismatic figure-head. His character remains central to the civil unrest throughout this story. His carefully calculated, intellectual dialogue makes him a compelling figure. It’s easy to see why he has such a following.

    Investigating the events are sceptic police detective Jin Kyung-hoon (Yang Ik-june), broadcast journalist Bae Young-jae (Park Jeong-min) and lawyer of the accused sinners Min Hey-jin (Kim Hyun-joo). Hyun-joo is standout amongst the cast. Her performance is captivating throughout and a sub-plot featuring her ailing mother adds some serious human drama to events. With huge events in the third episode it seems Detective Jin and Min Hey-jin will be central to the series’ core mystery in the back-half of the six episode season.

    Min, Jin and Bae perfectly serve as the audience entry point to the series. With a mix of beliefs and equally complex and compelling back stories their every step is mesmerising. Each character commits to investigating the events from a unique angle but as they intersect it pulls Hellbound together in unexpected and exciting ways.

    The incredible performances and strength of writing easily enable the show to transcend the language barrier. Within moments I had forgotten I was reading subtitles and found myself fully immersed in the story.

    Series cinematography Bong-sun Byun (Space Sweepers) does an incredible job of bringing the world to life. Hellbound is beautiful to watch, soaking up all the South Korean landscape and presenting it with fervour. The visuals are beautifully underpinned by Dong-wook Kim’s score. The series’ opening credits sequence features a pulse pounding theme the drives home the intensity of the show.

    If there’s one potential flaw with Hellbound it’s the series sparsely used visual effects. The floating faces, defined as angels, are well integrated to their surroundings and appear convincing. But the minions of hell appear a little at odds with the rest of the scenery. Whilst they are foreboding they aren’t rendered to blockbuster levels. It’s a minor niggle in what is overall a thrilling series.

    Verdict

    Underneath its horror elements Hellbound is a deeply affecting exploration of the human condition. This series’ stellar cast leaps beyond the language barrier to leave audiences questioning their place in the world.


    Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @GetYourComicOn, or on Instagram at GetYourComicOn. If you have a story suggestion email feedback@getyourcomicon.co.uk.

    Hellbound (TV Series) Toronto International Film Festival (2021)
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Neil Vagg
    • Website
    • X (Twitter)

    Neil is the Editor-in-Chief at GYCO. He has a BA in Film & TV and an MA in Scriptwriting; he currently works 9-5 in an office and 5-9 as a reviewer. He has been reading comics for as long as he can remember and is never far away from any book which has the word Bat in the title.

    Related Posts

    TIFF 2021: THE GUILTY (2021) Review

    September 15, 2021

    TIFF 2021: KICKING BLOOD (2021) Review

    September 14, 2021

    Benedict Cumberbatch Announced As Recipient Of The TIFF Tribute Actor Award

    August 26, 2021

    TIFF Unveils Platform Programme, Short Cuts & Special Events For 2021

    August 18, 2021
    Latest

    AMC Shares Official Trailer for FEARFEST Featuring 2025’s “Halloqueen” and Host Janelle Monáe

    October 3, 2025

    Jordan Thomas and Chris Matthews Welcome You to EXORCISM ISLAND in New Preview From Comixology Originals

    October 3, 2025

    The Secret History of Dracula Comes to London in DRACULA: BOOK III – THE COUNT

    October 2, 2025

    Titan Shares New Preview of Dan Watters’ Upcoming DOCTOR WHO: THE PRISON PARADOX #1

    October 2, 2025

    Crunchyroll Adds More Titles to it’s Autumn 2025 Lineup

    October 2, 2025
    Latest Podcasts
    News

    Join us to Visit the Warner Bros. Prop Archive for BATMAN DAY 2025 Celebrations

    By Neil VaggSeptember 20, 2025
    News

    ALIEN: EARTH and the Return of PEACEMAKER

    By Neil VaggAugust 20, 2025
    News

    Superman ’25 & the Future of the DCU

    By Neil VaggAugust 6, 2025
    News

    The Best of 2025… So Far

    By Neil VaggJuly 23, 2025
    News

    Reviewing FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES and Apple TV+ Series MURDERBOT

    By Neil VaggMay 21, 2025
    X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook LinkedIn
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Community Guidelines
    • Directory
    • Pitch to Us
    • Advertise
    GetYourComicOn.co.uk is a property of Get Your Comic On Ltd. © 2025 All Rights Reserved. Images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies/owners.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.